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Skills Assessment for Australian Skilled Migration

A positive skills assessment from the right assessing authority is a precondition for most skilled visa pathways — the 189, 190, 491, 482, and 186. This page lists the seven major authorities, what they assess, and how the assessment fits into the migration pathway.

MARN 1576536 · Verifiable at mara.gov.au

WIDEN does not assist with the skills assessment in any way. The skills assessment is a statutory function of the assessing authority — the application, evidence, and decision are entirely the authority's domain. WIDEN provides migration advice (visa subclass, points test, EOI, occupation list strategy) that uses the assessment outcome, separate from the assessment itself.

The seven major assessing authorities

ACS — Australian Computer Society

Scope: ICT — software engineers, developers, analysts, systems administrators, ICT business analysts, cybersecurity, network engineers, database administrators

ANMAC — Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council

Scope: Registered Nurses, Midwives, Nurse Practitioners, Enrolled Nurses

Engineers Australia — Engineers Australia

Scope: Professional Engineers, Engineering Technologists, Engineering Associates across all engineering disciplines (civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, mining, etc.)

VETASSESS — VETASSESS

Scope: Most professional and general occupations: business, finance, marketing, HR, social sciences, science, design, and many trade-related professional roles

TRA — Trades Recognition Australia

Scope: Most trade occupations — chefs, electricians, plumbers, mechanics, hairdressers, bricklayers, carpenters, fitters, welders

AMC — Australian Medical Council

Scope: Medical Practitioners (doctors)

AITSL — Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership

Scope: Early Childhood Teachers, Primary and Secondary Teachers, Special Education Teachers

How a skills assessment fits into the visa pathway

  1. Identify the nominated occupation. The ANZSCO code determines which authority handles the assessment and which visa subclasses are open to that occupation.
  2. Lodge the skills assessment with the relevant authority, providing evidence of qualifications, registration (where required), and skilled employment.
  3. Receive the outcome. A positive assessment confirms the qualifications and (where applicable) the years of skilled employment that can be claimed for the points test.
  4. Lodge an EOI (for 189 / 190 / 491) or proceed with employer sponsorship (for 482 / 186), supported by the positive assessment.
  5. Receive an invitation (skilled independent and nominated pathways) or proceed to nomination + visa application (employer-sponsored pathways).

A positive skills assessment is one requirement among many. Visa grant depends on the Department of Home Affairs assessing health, character, identity, English, age, and the other visa-specific criteria. Holding a positive skills assessment does not guarantee a visa grant.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a skills assessment to apply for a skilled visa?

For most skilled visa subclasses, yes — including the Subclass 189, 190, 491, 482 (Skilled in Demand), 186 (ENS), and 494. The Department uses the skills assessment to confirm that your qualifications and work experience meet the Australian standards for your nominated occupation. The assessment is conducted by the relevant assessing authority for your occupation, not by the Department of Home Affairs and not by WIDEN. Without a positive assessment from the correct authority, an Expression of Interest cannot be lodged for a points-tested visa.

Which assessing authority handles my occupation?

The authority is determined by the ANZSCO code of your nominated occupation. ACS handles most ICT roles. ANMAC handles nurses and midwives. Engineers Australia handles engineering occupations. VETASSESS handles many professional and general occupations including most business, finance, and trade-related professional roles. TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) handles most trades. AMC handles medical practitioners. AITSL handles teachers. The Department's published list of skills assessing authorities for each occupation is the authoritative source — verify there before lodging.

How long does a skills assessment take?

Timeframes vary significantly by authority and pathway. ACS typically processes the most straightforward applications within several weeks but complex cases or those requiring further documentation can take materially longer. ANMAC and Engineers Australia processing times also vary by application complexity and queue. VETASSESS and TRA processing times depend on the specific assessment type (points-test only, full assessment, JRP, etc.). Each authority publishes current indicative timeframes on their own website — these are the most reliable source for your planning.

What does a skills assessment cost?

Fees vary by authority and assessment type. Each authority publishes its current fee schedule on its own website — fees are subject to change. Indicative ranges as commonly published: ACS application fee for skilled employment assessment is typically in the mid-hundreds AUD; Engineers Australia migration skills assessment is typically in the AUD 600+ range; VETASSESS general professional occupations sit in the high-hundreds AUD; TRA fees vary by program (JRP / OTSR / Migration Skills); AMC examination fees run into the thousands. Verify current fees with each authority before paying.

Can WIDEN do my skills assessment for me?

No. No registered migration agent — including WIDEN — can issue a skills assessment, and WIDEN does not assist with the skills assessment application, evidence preparation, or review in any way. The skills assessment is a statutory function of the assessing authority. WIDEN's role is the migration side — visa subclass strategy, points test, EOI, occupation list considerations — which uses the assessment outcome but is separate from the assessment process itself.

What happens if my skills assessment is negative?

A negative outcome is not the end of the pathway, but it does need careful response. Most authorities have a review or reconsideration process; some allow you to address the reasons for the negative outcome and resubmit. In some cases an alternative occupation under a different authority may be appropriate. Some pathways (for example RPL for trades, or alternative employment-based evidence) may also be available. The right next step depends on the reasons given in the negative assessment letter — book a paid consultation before deciding which path to take.

Is the skills assessment the same as the visa application?

No. The skills assessment is a separate process administered by an assessing authority. A positive skills assessment is one of many requirements for a skilled visa — it does not guarantee a visa grant. The visa application is lodged with the Department of Home Affairs, which independently assesses health, character, identity, English, age, and other criteria. Holding a positive skills assessment does not mean the Department must grant the visa.

Does the assessment expire?

Yes. Most authorities issue assessments that are valid for a defined period — commonly three years from the date of issue, though some authorities have shorter or different validity rules. The Department of Home Affairs requires the assessment to be current at the time the EOI was lodged or the visa application was made (depending on the visa subclass and stage). Check the validity period stated on the assessment letter and the visa-specific requirement before relying on an older assessment.

Discuss your migration pathway with WIDEN

If you have a skills assessment outcome (or know which authority you're applying to) and want to discuss the migration pathway that uses it — visa subclass, points strategy, EOI, occupation list — book a consultation. WIDEN does not assist with the assessment application itself.

Book a consultation — $200 + GST

Related

General information only. Each authority publishes its own current criteria, fees, and timeframes on its own website. Verify with the authority before relying on the information on this page.

This page does not constitute migration advice (s 23, Migration Agents Code of Conduct 2022). Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) only after a paid initial consultation under section 43 of the Code, with a written service agreement issued before further work commences (section 42). The OMARA Consumer Guide is provided to all clients before the consultation begins. PI insurance held under the Migration Agents Regulations 1998. Complaints via our Complaints Policy or directly to OMARA.